Method for consolidated launching of multiple tasks

Abstract

A general purpose mechanism is provided for consolidating the launching of multiple tasks, wherein a task is launched when an associated software component is run or executed. In one embodiment, launch descriptions of individual tasks and composition parameters are respectively read, wherein the parameters indicate relationships between the launchings of different tasks, such as launch order. A composite launch description is constructed, by selectively processing the individual launch descriptions and composition parameters, and the tasks are launched according to the composite launch description. In a further embodiment, multiple individual launch descriptions are delivered to a tool, each launch description being usable to launch a corresponding component to perform a corresponding task. The tool includes a set of launch relationships that specify the relationship between launchings of different components. The tool generates a single composite launch description that defines launching of the components in accordance with the launch relationships.

1 . A method for consolidated launching of multiple tasks, wherein said method comprises the steps of:
 delivering a plurality of individual launch descriptions to a tool, wherein an individual launch description is usable to launch a corresponding component in order to perform a corresponding task;   providing said tool with a set of launch relationships, wherein a given launch relationship specifies the relationship between the launchings of two or more of said components; and   operating said tool to generate a single composite launch description that defines the launching of at least some of said components in accordance with said set of launch relationships.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said components are respectively launched according to said composite launch description, wherein a launched component comprises a software component that performs its corresponding task.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said tool is included in an Integrated Development Environment.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said composite launch description comprises a composite configuration having elements in the form of an ordered list.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said composite launch description comprises a composite launch configuration in the form of a hierarchical tree structure, wherein said components and their corresponding tasks respectively comprise leaves for said tree structure, and internal nodes for said structure respectively represent hierarchical groups of said components and their corresponding tasks.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein:
 said set of launch relationships comprise composition launch parameters that apply selectively both to said internal nodes and to said leaves.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said set of launch relationships comprises one or more composition launch parameters.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein:
 said composition launch parameters are selected from a group of parameters that includes at least the order in which respective components are launched; timing delays in the launching of respective components; the number of instances for launching a given component; required conditions for launching a given component; and the location for launching a given component.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said composite launch description is selectively retained for later use.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said composite launch description is viewable and selectively adjustable by a user.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said components are respectively launched to perform a debugging operation on a specified system.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said method includes selectively halting the launch of a specified number of said components.   
   
   
       13 . In a computer readable medium, a computer program product for consolidated launching of multiple tasks, wherein said computer program product comprises:
 first instructions for delivering a plurality of individual launch descriptions to a tool, wherein each of said individual launch descriptions is usable to launch a corresponding component in order to perform a corresponding task;   second instructions for providing said tool with a set of launch relationships, wherein a given launch relationship specifies the relationship between the launchings of two or more of said components;   third instructions for operating said tool to construct a single composite launch description that defines the launching of at least some of said components in accordance with said set of launch relationships; and   fourth instructions for launching said components according to said composite launch description, wherein each launched component comprises a software component that performs its corresponding task.   
   
   
       14 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein:
 said composite launch description comprises a composite launch configuration in the form of a hierarchical tree structure, wherein said components and their corresponding tasks respectively comprise leaves for said tree structure, and internal nodes for said structure respectively represent hierarchical groups of said components and their corresponding tasks.   
   
   
       15 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein:
 said set of launch relationships comprises one or more launch parameters, and said launch parameters are selected from a group of parameters that includes at least the order in which respective components are launched; timing delays in the launching of respective components; the number of instances for launching a given component; required conditions for launching a given component; and the location for launching a given component.   
   
   
       16 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein:
 said composite launch description is viewable and selectively adjustable by a user.   
   
   
       17 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein:
 said components are respectively launched to perform a debugging operation on a specified system.   
   
   
       18 . Apparatus for consolidated launching of multiple tasks, wherein said apparatus comprises:
 a first source for providing a plurality of individual launch descriptions, wherein each of said individual launch descriptions is usable to launch a corresponding component in order to perform a corresponding task;   a second source for providing a set of launch relationships, wherein a given launch relationship specifies the relationship between the launchings of two or more of said components; and   a tool adapted to receive said plurality of individual launch descriptions and said set of launch relationships, wherein said tool is operable to generate a single composite launch description that defines the launching of at least some of said components in accordance with said set of launch relationships.   
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein:
 said tool is operable to generate said composite launch description in the form of a hierarchical tree structure, wherein said components and their corresponding tasks respectively comprise leaves for said tree structure, and internal nodes for said structure respectively represent hierarchical groups of said components and their corresponding tasks.   
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein:
 said apparatus further comprises a user interface to enable a user to view and to selectively adjust said composite launch description.